➤ Are there any food activities in class?
➤ Are there out-of-school field trips? How is food handled?
➤ Who will be responsible for my child every day?
➤ Who has access to Epi Pens?
➤ What type of training does the staff have? Who does the
training? Content?
➤ What types of snacks are provided?
➤ Are the classrooms nut-free?
➤ Who else uses the classrooms? (Many preschools operate
out of churches or synagogues, and the classrooms are
used for other purposes. How are they maintained/
cleaned before the next morning)?
➤ Are you open to a food allergy plan?
➤ What is the staff return rate? (Look for senior staff who
will be educated on a regular basis and will develop a
relationship with you and your child.)
 STEP 2: C REATE YOUR OWN
iStock / Getty Images Plus /margouillatphotos
MANAGEMENT PLAN
 STEP 1: ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Whether your child is already enrolled in a preschool, or
you are still in the process of finding one, it’s important to
make sure it is the right fit for your child’s needs. Here are
some targeted questions to ask the school in order to get the
dialogue rolling.

➤ W hat have you done in the past for kids with food
allergies? ➤ D o you have any specific guidelines?
➤ H ow is a child identified as a food allergy child?
➤ I s there a food sharing policy?
ABC Food Allergy.indd 11
Creating a food allergy management and prevention plan
is integral to your child’s safety and your peace of mind.

There are varying levels of knowledge amongst preschools
in terms of food allergies, so developing your own
management plan is imperative. Schedule a meeting with
the preschool director prior to the school year to review
the plan along with any documentation from your health
provider regarding diagnosis, your child’s allergens and
reaction history. This provides an opportunity for an open
dialogue in which to problem solve. Your goal is to aim
for an honest and healthy relationship with the preschool
staff. If they aren’t receptive to a plan and/or dialogue, or
it appears to be a contentious experience, you may want to
consider a different school.

Below are suggestions of what to include in a food
management plan. Every child has different needs, and
while there isn’t a one-size-fits-all allergy plan, many of the
points below are universal. But every plan should include
both a section on classroom management for food allergies
and a detailed emergency plan.

Classroom Management for Food Allergies
➤ Strategies to prevent exposure to allergens (hand washing,
wipes, covering tables with paper for lunchtime, stowing
lunchboxes in personal cubbies or backpacks as opposed
to a big basket for all lunches where your child’s lunchbox
could be contaminated).

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